Imagine: You step into the shower, and the water temperature is exactly how you like it. There are no sudden blasts of scalding hot water when someone flushes the toilet. There are no icy streams that make you jump. And there’s no more constant fiddling with the shower controls, trying to find the perfect balance between hot and cold. The good news is, this isn’t a luxury reserved for high-end spas or futuristic homes – it’s the everyday magic of thermostatic showers.
A thermostatic shower will keep your water at the optimum temperature, whatever happens in the rest of the house. Thermostatic showers are fed via your home’s hot and cold water supply, with an internal valve to mix them. If your shower is prone to running too hot, too cold, or fluctuating between the two, installing a thermostatic shower could revolutionise how you think about your daily bathing routine.
So, how do thermostatic showers work?
Let’s take a closer look at the world of thermostatic shower technology and explore why you should install one of these innovative shower systems in your newly renovated bathroom or wet room.
Shower Technology
To fully appreciate thermostatic showers, you first need to understand the limitations of traditional shower systems.
For years, homeowners have struggled with unpredictable water temperatures in the shower.
Although a manual mixer shower can mix hot and cold water to a set temperature, it can’t react to sudden changes in temperature.
Instead, a typical mixer shower relies on manual adjustment by the user, which leaves them vulnerable to sudden temperature fluctuations caused by:
- Toilet flushing
- Running washing machines or dishwashers
- Someone turning on a tap elsewhere in the house
- Variations in water pressure
- Inconsistent water heating systems
These seemingly minor disruptions can lead to uncomfortable (and sometimes dangerous) showering experiences.
What is a Thermostatic Shower?
A thermostatic shower is more than just a standard shower.
It’s a sophisticated temperature control system that delivers a consistently safe and comfortable shower.
Traditional mixer showers require constant manual adjustment to get the temperature just right.
But thermostatic mixer showers use advanced technology to maintain a precise water temperature, protecting you from unexpected changes.
The Science – How Do Thermostatic Showers Work?
At first glance, thermostatic showers might sound complicated, but they’re actually pretty simple.
Thermostatic mixer showers store water at a high temperature, then mix it with cold water in a thermostatic mixing valve to reach a temperature pre-set by the user.
This clever valve contains a special temperature-sensitive element (often a wax-filled cartridge or metallic mechanism) which expands and contracts in real-time, responding to subtle changes in the water temperature.
Still wondering, “how do thermostatic showers work?”
Here’s a more detailed explanation of what’s inside a thermostatic shower:
- Thermostatic element. This is sensitive to the temperature of the water flowing through it. It increases or decreases in size depending on the water temperature. If the water temperature is higher than your preferred temperature, it expands. If the water is colder than your desired temperature, it contracts. Whenever there’s a sudden change in the water pressure in your home (like someone flushes the toilet or starts the washing machine), the element gets to work and adjusts the mix of hot and cold water to make sure it’s just right.
- Piston. As soon as the thermostatic element expands or contracts, the piston kicks into action and balances the flow of hot and cold water. The piston moves across the hot and cold water entry points, regulating the water temperature as the element increases or decreases in size. The piston is vital in maintaining a constant water temperature. It responds in milliseconds.
- Return spring. When things start to cool down, the spring boosts the hot water and reduces the cold water input. This is your safety net to make sure the shower temperature doesn’t ever get too hot or too cold.
- Temperature control. This is the part you can see and control. When you adjust the temperature using the dial or other control mechanism, the piston moves and changes the hot and cold water mix.
All these things work together to maintain your chosen shower temperature and allow you to adjust it where necessary easily – even if someone decides to fill up the kettle or start washing up while you’re in the shower.
The system is designed for precise regulation, so it maintains a water temperature within an incredibly tight range of 1-2 degrees of the pre-set temperatures.
This means that if you set your shower to 38°C, the actual temperature will hover between 37°C and 39°C, providing a consistently comfortable temperature throughout your shower.
Thermostatic shower valves also shut down immediately if the cold water supply fails. This built-in safety system helps to avoid injury to the user, such as scalding by hot water.
Is My Plumbing System Compatible with Thermostatic Showers?
If you live in an older house, you probably have a gravity-fed plumbing system with a large cold water tank in the loft and a hot water cylinder in the airing cupboard.
If you live in a modern house, you probably have a combination boiler, which relies solely on mains pressure to deliver water around your home. A combi boiler is usually wall-hung, which means you can enjoy hot water on demand with no storage tanks.
Unvented systems need a separate hot water cylinder to store hot water at mains pressure. If you have an unvented system, you’ll have a wall-hung boiler and a metal-clad hot water storage tank.
The good news is that thermostatic mixer showers are compatible with gravity-fed plumbing systems, combi boilers, and unvented systems.
Types of Thermostatic Shower Valve
Bar shower valves are compact in size and have slimline controls, so they’re a great choice if you have a small bathroom. They’re easy to fit and often the most affordable option. They’re also available in a range of materials and finishes.
Concealed valves are perfect for minimalistic bathrooms. They have a sleek, discreet design, and all of the mechanism sits behind a plate that’s either fitted to the wall or behind the wall. If you choose a concealed valve, you’ll only be able to see the controls, riser, and showerhead.
For larger bathrooms, you might want to opt for an exposed valve. With this type of valve, all of the controls and shower workings sit on the wall, allowing you to switch between two water outlets (for example, an overhead rainfall shower and a shower handset.)
Classic bathroom designs go hand in hand with traditional valves. Offering a combination of bar and exposed valve designs, these elegant designs will bring a contemporary style to your bathroom.
How Are Thermostatic Showers Different To Electric Showers?
There are several differences between thermostatic showers and electric showers, but the main difference is that electric showers rely on a mains water supply to operate, whereas a thermostatic shower uses a combination of water pressure and temperature to function.
Electric showers also have their own heating element (which is usually inside a box on the wall), so they only use a cold water supply. Thermostatic showers need a supply of both hot and cold water.
Why Should You Install a Thermostatic Shower?
Safety
The most compelling advantage of thermostatic showers is safety. Traditional showers leave users vulnerable to sudden temperature spikes or drops, which can cause serious scalding burns, slips and falls, and an uncomfortable showering experience.
Thermostatic showers eliminate these risks by preventing water from exceeding a maximum set temperature, providing a consistent water temperature, and offering built-in protection against sudden pressure changes.
Accessibility
Thermostatic showers are ideal for older adults, people with reduced mobility, and people with limited sensory capabilities.
Predictive water temperatures help reduce anxiety, eliminate the risk of accidental scalding, allow for independent showering, and reduce the risk of physical injuries.
Energy Efficiency
Installing a thermostatic shower in your walk-in shower could reduce your home’s energy consumption, as precise temperature control leads to less water waste.
It also reduces the need to readjust the temperature while you’re in the shower. And there’s potential for lower water heating costs, too.
Comfort and Convenience
Beyond the safety benefits, thermostatic showers offer an unparalleled showering experience. You can preset the temperature so it’s exactly right every time you step in the shower.
If you need to adjust the temperature, the transition is smooth, and on some models, it’s possible to set up multiple user presets.
Best of all, you’ll never have to stand in the shower waiting for the water to reach your chosen temperature.
How to Choose the Right Thermostatic Shower
There are two types of thermostatic shower to consider:
Exposed Thermostatic Showers
These have a visible valve mounted on the bathroom wall. They are easier to install, available in a range of designs, and ideal for modern, contemporary bathrooms.
Concealed Thermostatic Showers
These showers have a valve hidden behind the wall, offering a sleeker, minimalist appearance. The installation process is more complex, but they’re great if you prefer minimalist designs.
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What to Consider When Buying a Thermostatic Shower
- Temperature Range. The typical safe range is 37-39°C.
- Flow rate. This ensures adequate water pressure.
- Valve quality. Look for reputable manufacturers.
- Additional features, such as anti-scald protection, easy-clean shower heads, multiple spray patterns, and digital temperature displays.
Installing Your Thermostatic Shower
Now that we’ve answered the question “how do thermostatic showers work?”, DIY enthusiasts might be tempted to install a thermostatic shower themselves.
However, it’s best to arrange professional installation of your thermostatic shower as they require complex plumbing and precise positioning of the valve.
Your installer will also be able to ensure proper water pressure balance and comply with the relevant building regulations.
In some bathrooms, your installer may need to overcome compatibility issues with existing plumbing, water pressure variations, electrical connections, and modifications to the wall structure.
Maintenance
Thermostatic showers require some periodic maintenance, including:
- Annual valve inspection
- Regular cleaning of the shower head and nozzles
- Checking for limescale buildup (especially in hard water areas)
- Professional servicing as recommended by the manufacturer
Replacing, adjusting, and calibrating valves are all relatively easy to do. However, it’s important to do your research, as certain thermostatic shower parts and valves might not be replaceable if damaged. It’s generally best to employ a professional.
Costs
You can find thermostatic showers to suit every budget, although they are more expensive than traditional mixer showers.
You can buy a basic model for between £150 and £200. A high-end, feature-rich model will probably cost between £500 and £1,500.
The upfront costs are higher than choosing a mixer shower. But the long-term benefits of safety, comfort, and potential energy savings make thermostatic showers a worthwhile investment.
The Future of Showering
Thermostatic shower technology represents a huge leap forward in home bathroom design.
It’s not just about temperature control – it’s about creating a safer, more comfortable, and more enjoyable daily showering experience
A thermostatic shower is an investment in comfort, safety, and quality of life. Understanding the technology and benefits of installing one will help you to make an informed decision that will transform your everyday showering experience.
To find the perfect thermostatic shower solution for your bathroom configuration, consult a professional plumber or installation expert.